Murphy: "This was an isolated incident which happened out of competition when we had no game. I immediately regretted it"
Monday 9 December 2019 20:44, UK
Republic of Ireland international Daryl Murphy has admitted to taking cocaine on a night out that led to him being banned by the Football Association.
Murphy, who now plays for Bolton, was at Nottingham Forest when he received a six-week suspension last season and did not play between October 6 and December 8.
The FA's policy is not to name players who have failed drugs tests, so it has only become general knowledge due to Murphy's public admission.
In a statement released to The Athletic, 36-year-old striker Murphy said: "Firstly, I would like to stress that the taking of recreational drugs is something that I don't condone whatsoever.
"I served a suspension at the beginning of last season for making a bad decision while on a night out.
"This was an isolated incident which happened out of competition when we had no game. I immediately regretted it.
"I am not proud of what I did, but it's something I have put behind me as I want to concentrate on my football career."
Murphy won 32 caps for the Republic between 2007 and 2017 and has also played for Sunderland, Ipswich, Celtic and Newcastle during his career.
